INDIANAPOLIS, IN.- The Indianapolis Museum of Art is celebrating the work of T.C. Steele, Robert Indiana, Michael Graves, Bill Blass, and other Hoosier artists in the exhibition, 19 Stars of Indiana Art: A Bicentennial Celebration.
The largest of the IMAs Bicentennial exhibitions, 19 Stars of Indiana Art takes guests through 200 years of Indiana history and present the accomplishments of 19 artists who were born in Indiana, such as Steele, Indiana, Graves and Blass, along with those were raised or worked in Indiana. The exhibition highlights the work of well-known figures such as David Smith and Garo Antreasian, as well as less-celebrated artists such as Felrath Hines, Wilhelmina Seegmiller and Frank Hohenberger.
To honor the 19 stars on Indianas flag, we have selected 19 star artists from the many who have connections to the state, said Annette Schlagenhauff, the IMAs curator of special projects. The diversity of their talents is truly exceptional, and there will be something to delight all of our guests who are interested in learning more about the impact these artists had either locally, nationally or internationally.
Paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, fashion design and other works from the IMAs permanent collection are on display. Exhibition highlights include:
No Cybernetic Exit (1984), a kinetic sculpture by South Bend native George Rickey.
Fashion design including Bill Blass evening dress (1980s) and evening ensemble (1970s) by Halston, who grew up in Evansville, Ind.
LOVE (1966), the original painting by Hoosier artist, Robert Indiana, that inspired his iconic LOVE sculpture on the IMAs Dudley and Mary Louise Sutphin Mall.
Tea & Coffee Piazza Service (1983) and Nanna teapot (2000) by architect, designer and Indianapolis native Michael Graves.
Brown County portraits and landscapes (about 1920-1940) by photographer Frank Hohenberger.
An interactive map of Indiana and a specially designed video gallery invites guests to further explore the artists connections to the state and their important legacies. Visitors are also being invited to contribute to a large scale Indiana-inspired landscape by creating paper flowers, insects and birds. Exhibition visitors can also discover their Hoosier personality through a Whoosier You? quiz available inside the exhibition and on the IMA website.
19 Stars of Indiana Art runs May 15, 2016 through Jan. 8, 2017 and is included with general admission.